The San Francisco 49ers returned to practice today, as did the Minnesota Vikings, and we’re going to start with the road team. Both of their starting wide receivers didn’t practice Wednesday for different reasons. Stefon Diggs was absent for the second day with an illness. Head coach Mike Zimmer didn’t seem too concerned and said, “He’s sick. He’ll be fine.”
The real story is Adam Thielen, who sustained an ankle injury in Wednesday’s practice and was listed on the injury report as ‘limited’ after being healthy on Tuesday and all of last week. Offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski was asked about Thielen and his ability to overcome injuries this season, and his answer was telling:
“We’re fortunate that we have guys at every position who can make a plays”
Nobody wishes Thielen is hurt, and I enjoy football at its best, so I hope he plays. This could be Minnesota playing it safe with a game a few days away. It’s certainly something worth monitoring.
DB Jayron Kearse (toe/knee) Mackensie Alexander (knee) didn’t practice. Those two could fill in at slot cornerback if needed, so that’s news if those two cannot play. DT Linval Joseph (knee) was upgraded to limited. Joseph is the Vikings version of D.J. Jones. Here is the injury report:
Today’s #Vikings injury report pic.twitter.com/xUhLlR1NEF
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 8, 2020
There weren’t any changes to the 49ers practice report from yesterday. Kwon Alexander, Dee Ford, and Jaquiski Tartt were all practicing again on Wednesday and are on track to play Saturday. Mike Person was out there as well, which is a sign he could return to the starting lineup. Here’s a clip of Alexander practicing:
Kwon Alexander at #49ers practice today, as he is on pace to play Saturday after sustaining torn pec on Oct. 31.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) January 8, 2020
WATCH: pic.twitter.com/UzmZIq58US
Alexander will wear a shoulder harness Saturday in hopes of avoiding a re-injury to his recently torn pectoral. We talked about the harness a few weeks ago when the news came out that Alexander could return. The harness restricts the movement to make sure the pectoral muscle doesn’t rupture.